Friendship

Steve and Yaser first met in their chemistry class at an American university. Yaser was an international student from Jordan. He was excited to get to know an American. He wanted to learn more about American culture. Yaser hoped that he and Steve would become good friends.
史帝夫和亞瑟最初是在一所美國大學的化學課裡認識的。亞瑟是從約旦來的國際學生。他很興奮能夠認識美國人，他要更多學習美國文化；亞瑟希望他和史帝夫會成為好朋友。
At first, Steve seemed very friendly. He always greeted Yaser warmly before class. Sometimes he offered to study with Yaser. He even invited Yaser to eat lunch with him. But after the semester was over, Steve seemed more distant. The two former classmates didn’t see each other very much at school. One day Yaser decided to call Steve. Steve didn’t seem very interested in talking to him. Yaser was hurt by Steve’s change of attitude. “Steve said we were friends,” Yaser complained. And I thought friends were friends forever.”
剛開始史帝夫似乎非常友善，上課前他總是熱情地和亞瑟打招呼，有時他和亞瑟一起讀書；
他甚至邀請亞瑟一起共進午餐。但是學期結束後，史帝夫似乎較冷淡了，這兩個以前的同學
在學校不常碰面了。有一天，亞瑟決定打電話給史帝夫，史帝夫似乎沒有興趣和他講話，對
於史帝夫態度的改變，亞瑟感到受傷害。「史帝夫曾說我們是朋友，」亞瑟抱怨，「而且我
認為一朝是朋友就永遠是朋友。」
Yaser is a little confused. He is an outsider to American culture. He doesn’t understand the way Americans view friendship. Americans use the word “friend” in a very general way. They may call both casual acquaintances and close companions “friends.” Americans have school friends, work friends, sports friends and neighborhood friends. These friendships are based on common interests. When the shared activity ends, the friendship may fade. Now Steve and Yaser are no longer classmates. Their “friendship” has changed.
亞瑟有點困惑了，對於美國文化，他是個局外人（外行）。他不了解美國人
對友誼的看法。美國人把「朋友」這個字用得非常廣泛，一般的泛泛之交和親
密伙伴都算是朋友。美國人的朋友包含有學校的朋友、工作的朋友、運動的朋
友或是街坊鄰居。這些友誼都是建立在共同的興趣上，當共同從事的活動結束
時，友誼也可能跟著消失了。現在，史帝夫和亞瑟不再是同學，他們的「友誼」
也就改變了。In some cultures friendship means a strong life-long bond between two people. In these cultures friendships develop slowly, since they are built to last. American society is one of rapid change. Studies show that one out of five American families moves every year. American friendships develop quickly, and they may change just as quickly.
在一些文化裡，友誼意即兩人之間一種強烈的，一世之久的情感。在這些文化裡，友誼
發展得慢，因為要持久。但美國是個急速變遷的社會，有些研究發現每年每五個美國家
庭之中，就有一個家庭搬家。美國人的友誼建立得快，但也可能改變得快。
People from the United States may at first seem friendly. Americans often chat easily with strangers. They exchange information about their families, hobbies and work. They may smile warmly and say, “Have a nice day” or “See you later.” Schoolmates may say,“Let’s get together sometime.” But American friendliness is not always an offer of true friendship.
從美國來的人可能剛開始看起來很親切。美國人常能很容易地和陌生人聊
天，他們交換關於自己的家庭、興趣和工作的個人資料，他們可能熱情地微笑
說「祝你有愉快的一天」或是「待會兒見」，而同學也許會說「我們找一天聚
聚」，但是美國人的友善並不意謂真正的友誼。

After an experience like Yaser’s , outsiders may consider Americans to be fickle. Learning how Americans view friendship can help non-Americans avoid misunderstandings. It can also help them make friends the American way.
經過像亞瑟的經驗之後，局外人也許會視美國人為善變的。了解美國人如何看待友誼，
能夠幫助非美國人士避免誤會，也能幫助他們以美國人的方式交朋友。
以下是一些和美國人交朋友的秘訣：
Here are a few tips on making friends with Americans:
1. Visit places Americans enjoy: parties, churches, Western restaurants, parks, sports clubs.
1. 到一些美國人喜歡去的地方：宴會、教會、西餐廳、公園和健身房。
2. Be willing to take the first step. Don't wait for them to approach you. Americans in Taiwan
may not know you speak English. They may be embarrassed if they can’t speak your language.
2. 樂意跨出第一步，不要等他們來接近你。在台灣的美國人不知道你會不會講英語。
如果他們不會講你的語言，他們可能覺得不好意思。
3. Use small talk to open the conversation. Ask them where they’re from, why they
came to Taiwan, etc. Remember: Be careful to avoid personal questions about age, salary,
marital status and appearance.
3. 以閒聊來展開話題，問他們來自哪裡，為什麼到台灣等等。切記：小心避免非常私
人的問題，例如年齡、薪水、婚姻狀況和長相。
4. Show an interest in their culture, their country or their job. (Americans like to talk about themselves!)
4. 對他們的文化、國家或者工作表示興趣。（美國人喜歡談論自己）
5. Invite them to join you for dinner or just for coffee or tea. Try to set a specific time. Americans sometimes make general invitations like “Let’s get together sometime.” Often this is just a way to be friendly. It is not always a real invitation

5. 邀請他們和你一起吃飯或喝茶。要講定時間，否則，美國人有時會用一些一般性的
邀請，像「找個時間聚聚吧！」，但這只是表示友善的方法而非真正的邀請。

 

 

 

 

@Word Bank
chemistry (n) 化學

outsider (n) 局外人
acquaintance (n) 相識的人
companion (n) 同伴
fade (v) 消失；褪色

rapid (adj) 迅速的 

fickle (adj) 易變的；不堅定的 

 small talk (n phr) 閒談；聊天
marital status (n phr) 婚姻狀況

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

@The Day's Phrase

A rich man finds the best way to be truly rich
一名富人找到真正富有的最佳方式

You'd better zip up your jacket so you don't catch a cold.
你最好把你夾克的拉鍊拉上，免得著涼了。

What does it take to survive the changes innovation brings?
該怎麼做才能順應創新帶來的改變而存活下去？

I need to shop for some warm slacks.
我得去買一些厚暖的長褲。

Meet comic book creator Stan Lee
來認識漫畫書作者史丹‧李

It's time to unpack your heavy clothes.
該是把你衣箱中的厚暖衣物拿出來的時候了。

Meet comic book creator Stan Lee
來認識漫畫書作者史丹‧李

I don't want to stay indoors all day.
我不想整天待在室內。

This is good weather to get some exercise.
今天是適合運動的好天氣。

LET’S GO TO THE MOVIES!
Some exciting films are coming soon to a theater near you!
精彩電影即將在你家附近的電影院上映！

Let's walk to the store instead of taking the bus.
我們別坐公車，用走的去那家店吧。

Some of the stores still have summer clothes on clearance.
有些店家現在還有夏裝的清倉拍賣。

I want to stop at the fruit market on the way home.
我想在回家路上去那家水果賣場一下。

Tips for timing your high-tech toy purchases
高科技玩物購買時機有訣竅

Oranges are in season now.
橘子是目前的當季水果。